http://mdc.mo.gov/cgi-bin/news/news_search.cgi?item=1229703999,77139, Conservation Commission Addresses Permit Restructuring
JEFFERSON CITY (MO)  At its December 19 meeting in Jefferson City, theMissouri Conservation Commission discussed changes to the structure and pricing of hunting, fishing and trapping permits as proposed by the Commission in September.

Public input, according to the Commission, has again proven to be an essential component of regulation development. Following the recent public comment period on proposed permit changes, several recommendations included in the original package have been sidelined or modified.
"We have a rich history of being a citizen-led and citizen-driven Conservation Department," said Commission Chairman Chip McGeehan. "Citizen involvement and trust are essential parts of conservation success in our state, and we thank the many Missourians who have shared their opinions on the proposed permit changes. We will continue to seek points of view from all of our stakeholders, listen, and respond in ways that best protect Missouri's resources and serve all Missourians."

The proposed 80-acre resident landowner requirement was stopped. After taking into consideration the severe economic downturn affecting Missouri's citizens, and in response to public comments, the Commission decided to end advancement of the proposed recommendations to, (1) increase the resident landowner acreage requirement for no-cost deer and turkey permits from 5 to 80 acres, and (2) eliminate lessee privileges.

Conservation Department Director John Hoskins explained, "A growing number of Missourians are small-acreage landowners and many embrace wildlife management as a primary purpose for some if not all of their land. We support them, and all landowners, and recognize the many habitat benefits that result from landowner efforts. Private landowners have always been, and continue to be, a critical component of Missouri's successful wildlife management program. We will continue to seek input from all landowners regarding any additional changes that may affect them and will proactively seek landowner input prior to any future proposals regarding landowner permits."

"Our economy is in much worse shape than it was when we first proposed the price increases," explained Hoskins. "We are sensitive to the plight of our fellow Missourians during this unprecedented recession. The higher cost of living, increasing unemployment and general economic uncertainty are affecting us all. We hope that by eliminating these price increases, we can help Missouri hunters, trappers and anglers weather these difficult economic times."

The Commission also voiced support for ending advancement of the recommendation to establish a new senior "forever" permit. With this action, people over 65 years will continue to be able to hunt small game and fish for free in Missouri, with no permit required. As originally crafted, the "forever" permit seemed to confuse many citizens. The Department received considerable public comment on this particular issue.

The Commission continued to support the proposed recommendations regarding gathering basic essential landowner information consistent with past practices, but approved the delay of implementation from Fall 2009 to Spring 2010.

Through the Department's existing point-of-sale permit system, landowners receiving no-cost deer and turkey permits provide their name, address, county and acreage of their land. The change envisioned would be consistent with a past requirement that simply adds collection of the legal description of their land, i.e.: township, section and range. Hoskins explained that the information will help to verify ownership. "It will be landowner friendly and simple," he added.

Following public comments, the Commission expressed continued support for the recommendation to establish consistent Hunter Education and age requirements for all mentors. This recommendation simply establishes consistent requirements for all Missouri citizens.

In addition, the Commission continued to support the establishment of a standard minimum legal age of six years for obtaining deer and turkey permits, including for no-cost landowner permits.

The Commission remains focused on the priority of growing hunter and angler numbers in Missouri. As a result, the Commission voiced support to continue forward with the recommendation to simplify youth permits and slash the cost of deer, turkey and trout permits purchased for youth by 50%.

-END-

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.” Aldo Leopold

Out of state landowners really need to look at forming some type of coalition or something so that our voice is heard at these meetings. I know we can't vote in the state, so maybe it won't matter much, but there have got to be 1000's of us and we ought to be able to have some impact I would think.

It's getting to the point with all the concessions to the in-state people that I feel like Missouri is expecting out of staters to carry the load so the in-staters can have all the benefits. Probably not a popular point of view for the Missouri D&DH Pro Staffer to have I guess, but it's really starting to bother me.

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.” Aldo Leopold

I'm with you. Non-resident landowners in Iowa get screwed as badly as any hunters in America. Many of them fail to draw tags to hunt their own land!

The problem is, any non-res. who owns land is an easy political target. Who is going to risk their popularity with the voters in order to do what is right by us?

And how is this for a complication? Some states (I think Kansas is one of them) sell a liftime resident licance, which then allows you to move elsewhere and establish dual-residency. it has become a problem in Iowa.

Shouldn't throw stones when you live in glass houses...the states that surround Missouri have been beating up on non resident's for years...Missouri is still loads cheaper to hunt than any other state as a non resident.

I would have liked to see the acreage limit on free tags..if not 80 acres, maybe 50 acres or so...seems like there is a big loop hole that should be closed to the free tag system.

Thats right Thayer. In comparison I believe that Missouris fees are cheaper than any adjoining state with the exception of Arkansas i believe. I still don't understand after reading the original topic how nonresident landowners are taking a hit. I didn't think I read anything about a single fee increase.

Hunting, fishing, drawing, and music occupied my every moment. Cares I knew not, and cared naught about them. --John James Audubon

Non-resident landowners also get screwed in Missouri because they pay taxes on the land that they own and work, but because they get their mail elsewhere they must pay outrageous fees to hunt on it. Not fair.

Thats right Thayer. In comparison I believe that Missouris fees are cheaper than any adjoining state with the exception of Arkansas i believe. I still don't understand after reading the original topic how nonresident landowners are taking a hit. I didn't think I read anything about a single fee increase.

[font="times new roman"]Here you go - the resident fee increases were rescinded, but not the non-resident or non-resident landowner fees. At least that is my understanding.[/font]

I see no problem with the increase in prices of tags. It would cost me a small mint to hunt on land outside of Missouri. So why shouldn't the people that live outside Missouri have to pay as much as we would if we wanted to hunt in their state. So you own land here, big deal. Anyone can buy a cheap piece of land. Just because you own land somewhere doesn't give you the same rights as the people that live there. Oh you pay taxes on the land, cry me a river. If you don't want to pay taxes on the land buy land in a state that doesn't have personal property taxes.

I see no problem with the increase in prices of tags. It would cost me a small mint to hunt on land outside of Missouri. So why shouldn't the people that live outside Missouri have to pay as much as we would if we wanted to hunt in their state. So you own land here, big deal. Anyone can buy a cheap piece of land. Just because you own land somewhere doesn't give you the same rights as the people that live there. Oh you pay taxes on the land, cry me a river. If you don't want to pay taxes on the land buy land in a state that doesn't have personal property taxes.

Anyone can buy a cheap piece of land huh? Couple of things wrong with that statement: 1)anyone can buy, 2)cheap piece of land. You might want to check land prices as of late, and you might want to check with your banker his willingness to loan anyone money to buy land.

I'm sure you'd be singing a different tune if you owned land in another state and that state pretty much said "screw you" even though you own land there. I don't know, something about taxation without representation bothers me.

Where I purchase land has nothing to do with property taxes, it has to do where it lies in proximity to where my brother and I live. Property taxes are nill anyway, I just don't like being treated different than other landowners, and that is what Missouri is doing. If you can't see the wrong in that, then I can't help you.

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.” Aldo Leopold